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I've had pain in my back (lower left) for about a week now. I thought it was a pulled muscle but I'm beginning to wonder about a kidney stone. Anyone had one post surgery? It's not the excruciating pain I had when my gallbladder duct was blocked but I don't want it to get worse!

Dulcolax or Actimax liquids are good, combined with an enema (attack things from both ends) product such as Fleet or Microlax. Movicol is good too. Lower back pain could be a sign of impaction, so important to get things moving. No laxatives though! Apparently peristalsis they cause is to be avoided for the first 6 weeks. Good luck.

style="margin:0;padding:0;background-color:#d8dde8;color:#5a5a5a;font:normal 13px helvetica, arial, sans-serif;position:relative;"> Hey BariatricPal Members! I hope you’re having a wonderful summer and making good progress towards your weight loss and health goals! As our country and the world have been hit in recent weeks by devastating news of senseless deaths, it can be hard to stay focused on the “little things” in life – like health and weight loss. But you can do your best by staying strong and dedicating yourself with even more commitment to achieving your goals. Hopefully this newsletter can help a little; here’s what you’ll find. Got a Buddy? Your Key to Better Weight Loss Getting More from BariatricPal Let The BariatricPal Store Make Weight Loss Easier After you go through the newsletter, we hope you will login to the BariatricPal forums to catch up on all the discussions. Thanks for all of your support, and Happy Independence Day! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal Got a Buddy? Your Key to Better Weight Loss A weight loss surgery buddy can do wonders for your weight loss. You can motivate each other to stick to the diet, to exercise, and to stay strong in the face of the criticism and judgement that often comes with weight loss surgery. Face to Face Friendship Someone you see regularly can help hold you accountable with your WLS diet, and you can do the same for them. It doesn’t need to be a WLS patient if you can find someone else who’s losing weight and just wants the same things you do: weight loss and a healthier life. Some good possibilities are a work colleague or a friend who is ready to commit to weight loss and healthy living. Working Out Together A workout buddy can be just what you need if you’re not always eager to get out the door for your workout. It’s a lot harder to shut off your alarm clock and go back to sleep if you know you have a friend waiting for you at 5:00 a.m. It can be a buddy for gym workouts, walks in the neighborhood, or any other workout you want to do. Find an Online Buddy A virtual friend can be just as good for weight loss as an in-person friend. Where can you find a friend? Logon to BariatricPal, of course! Be sure to introduce yourself if you haven’t already, and let everyone know that you’re looking for a weight loss surgery buddy. You may want someone with a surgery date near yours, or maybe you’re looking for a WLS veteran. Just see who responds to your post! Insure Nutrition We are always thrilled to welcome a new newsletter sponsor into the BariatricPal family, and this month, Insure Nutrition is giving us the pleasure of doing just that. Our latest sponsor, Insure Nutrition, is an online company that specializes in getting health insurance coverage for nutritional supplements. Its Post-Bariatric Surgery Nutrition products includes Premier Protein shakes in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors and OptiSource High Protein drinks in caramel and strawberry flavors. Checking if you are eligible is easy. Insure Nutrition encourages you to use its online form to find out if you qualify. Our sponsors help make BariatricPal newsletters and other services possible. We encourage you show your thanks by considering them first for your bariatric needs. unjury and Opurity BariatricPal is proud and excited to announce two new sponsors for our newsletters. The new sponsors are Unjury, a supplier of wonderful tasting, highest quality protein supplements, and Opurity (from the makers of UNJURY), highest purity Vitamin supplements for bariatric surgery patients. Their support lets us keep BariatricPal newsletters coming to you each month. Unjury was founded by a master’s degree dietitian who has been helping patients since 1974. It is committed your health. You know the importance of getting enough protein after weight loss surgery, but you also know that meeting your protein goals can be challenging. Unjury makes your task not just easier but actually enjoyable. Product flavors include Chocolate Splendor, Chocolate Classic, Vanilla, Strawberry Sorbet, chicken Soup Flavor, and Unflavored. These ready-to-use protein powders come in single-serve and multi-serve containers, and contain high-quality whey protein to keep you full and nourished. Launched in 2007, Opurity is dedicated to using the purest ingredients in its supplements. Opurity Bariatric Multivitamins have two unique big advantages: First, each multivitamin requires only one tablet per day*. Second, Opurity is so dedicated to quality that it is unique in using no ingredients from China. Choose from chewable orange-berry multivitamins for gastric bypass and gastric sleeve patients or for lap-band patients.Opurity also sells chewable calcium, vitamin D and folic acid/vitamin B-12 chewables. All supplements come with a 100% satisfaction guaranteed. They return policy is: “Yes you can return it.” Support from Unjury and Opurity helps us continue to bring you the services you enjoy on BariatricPal, so please support these two brands! When looking for your bariatric surgery supplements, first visit Unjury.com and Opurity.com. Purchasing from these companies helps support BariatricPal. Thanks to Unjury and Opurity for your generous sponsorship, and thanks to BariatricPal members who support our partnership! *You still need calcium and sublingual B-12. Getting More from BariatricPal BariatricPal is here for you to help you through your WLS journey. From our supportive and informative forums to our online store with bariatric food, Snacks, and supplements, we’re doing what we can to help you reach your weight loss and health goals. Better Boarding: Please Promote a Courteous Environment! BariatricPal is unique because of our friendly and supportive environment. We believe that everyone has the right to post their questions, doubts, and opinions without fear of being ridiculed or put down. Recently, a few members have been violating our zero-tolerance policy for rudeness. This must stop, and you can help make sure it does. First, you can help by reporting any posts that violate our Forum Rules. You can report anonymously, so there is no fear of retribution. You can also help promote an encouraging environment by making sure you are a positive influence. Answer other posters with respect. If you are unable to respond respectfully to a poster, please just refrain from answering. Thanks to the vast majority of you who make sure to maintain a positive environment on the forums! Saving Money at The BariatricPal Store What’s better than getting great-tasting bariatric foods and Vitamins delivered to your door? How about knowing you’re getting the best price on them? The BariatricPal Store guarantees the lowest prices anywhere online with our price matching program. To save even more, we have a special offer for new customers, too! Save 15% on your first order just by using coupon code ILUVBP16 at checkout! Let The BariatricPal Store Make Weight Loss Easier Staying strong on the weight loss surgery diet is tough, but it’s a lot easier when you have the bariatric foods you need on hand. When your low-calorie, high-protein drinks and foods are at your fingertips, you’re more likely to get the filling protein you need without diving desperately for junk food. And when your vitamins are formulated for your needs and they’re easy to take, you’re more likely to stay nourished as you lose weight. The BariatricPal Store has the weight loss surgery essentials that can make your job easier. Here are a few of our most popular products this summer. Summer Refreshment: Protein Fruit Drinks On a hot summer’s day, a fruit smoothie can sound awfully tempting. Don’t do it – at least, not from a smoothie shop! You can wind up with close to 1,000 calories and over 100 grams of sugar. BariatricPal fruit smoothies are the smarter choice to satisfy that sweet tooth and refresh yourself. They have the fruit flavors you love, such as pineapple, mango, strawberry, and lemon raspberry iced tea, but without the sugar and calories of regular smoothies. Each low-carb serving has about 10 to 15 grams of protein and 80 to 100 calories. Hottest Items – Vitamin Patches Our vitamin patches are flying off the shelves, and for good reason. You don’t have to swallow pills when you have a convenient topical patch to get your vitamins and minerals. Just wear each patch for 8 hours a day to get the nutrients you need. Pick the individual patches you want, or take a look at our Patch Packs for Lap-Band, Gastric Sleeve, and Gastric Bypass patients. Don’t forget to browse through our Patch Packs Plus section to pick up extra nutrients for specific benefits. Snacks for a Day Trip Heading off to the beach? Planning a weekend getaway? Pack a few high-protein snacks so you know you’re set. Protein bars are a great go-to, since they’re convenient and come in all kinds of great-tasting flavors including chocolate, Peanut Butter, caramel, and lemon. Bars aren’t your only choices, though. You can try pretzels, chips, and even a box of cereal! These may not sound like good candidates for your WLS diet, but they are! They’re all packed with protein, low in carbs, and in single serving packs to make portion control a no brainer on the road. Thanks for reading the newsletter and for your continued support of BariatricPal. Enjoy your summer, and know that you’re always welcome at BariatricPal to share your questions, advice, encouragement, and concerns about weight loss surgery! · Unsubscribe from all BariatricPal E-Mail.

At 6 weeks I started working out with my personal trainer 2x a week. We did some pool based workouts and then started with body weight and core exercises. Have been amping it up since then. Now (4.5 months out and 58lbs gone) I still do 2x a week with him- we lift (dead lifting, squats with weights, lunges with weights, leg presses, arms, etc), do lots of core stability training, and recently have started working on running. I'm looking at doing a couple 5k runs in next couple months and doing a sprint triathlon in April. I also do 2x a week of cardio (mostly walk/run intervals but sometimes swim) and ride English equestrian 1-2x a week as well. I rode and jumped in HS so now being in early 30's and healthy again felt like the time to go back as I love horses and hopefully will buy one in a year or two.

Oh no that's terrible can you call the office and explain to them that you usually gain 5ish lbs around TOM? It would be terrible for them to deny you based on that. Last visit I had with the PA at my surgeons office I had TOM and told her I was up 5 lbs. she just gave me the stank eye, like I was lying about it. Most of the staff is understanding at my surgeons office but she wasn't. At my next appt I was down 13 lbs and she said wow, that's a lot of weight in 2 weeks - and I said to her, it helped that I lost an additional 5 lbs of bloating from my cycle! She just laughed.

Hello, anyone have anything they did - or wished they had done as you started to drop the weight after surgery? I'm about 8 weeks out and just wanted to reach out to those further along or at maintenance and get thoughts, tips and tricks for success. Thanks

So I took you guys advise and I have been trying to see the positive to all this waiting : ) I have researched and started taking my pre surgery supplments. I have been testing out some protein powders. I have even practiced eating slower and chewing longer. (Need more practice) I am feeling better about things. I was able to speak with someone at my surgeons office and was told that Dec 3 rd I will be submitted for insurance approval. She said that my insurance is usually quick 2 weeks max for an answer. Then within 2 weeks of that I will get to see the Nut and the surgeon to schedule my surgery. In the meanwhile I will continue to work on my new lifestyle! I don't have to lose any weight before hand, but I decided that I want to lose 15 lbs before surgery. Since I have to do a preop diet anyway. Might as well make the best of it and choose to lose : )

Sleevers can't do Ibuprofen! I was shocked when my surgeon told me. I took Alieve daily. Now it's just Tylenol. I did Depo for three years. It caused me to stop having my cycle for the entire time, which caused PCOS.

You probably ate too much. Especially since you had a little bread. Six weeks out is still pretty early for bread. It takes awhile to learn how much our sleeves can handle and sometimes even though it goes down fine, it's still a tad more than what our tummies can take so it gets rid of it. Since you haven't had a lot of vomiting issues, I suspect you won't have this happen again as long as you're careful.

Thanks for updating us! I have just over 9 weeks til I see Dr Kelly and his wonderful staff! Im so excited/nervous, but I know I am in the best and most capeable hands! I cant wait to see your success! Keep us updated a lot!

So I had my second of 4 required appointments with the psych/cognitive behavioral therapist.. This went much better and I tried to keep our conversations about my eating habits, and not wonder off into the past as much and felt better when I left.. I told her about how I was really put to the test this past week with my stress eating when my father wasn't well.. I had to really hold it together and not freak out so that I could do what needed to be done.. I also had to ask for help from the rest of the family and do some delegating,, and then brace myself for the replies and not let it get to me..I did it!! For the first time probably in my life I was able to let those hurtful comments and snappy guilt ridden comments roll off my back. I was able to put into practice what I have learned from my nutritionist (not the lap band one) and the info the therapist gave me and use it.. It felt so good not to be hurt by stupid words. And because I didn't internalize and dwell on anything I didn't overeat and stuck to my meal plans.. One of my sisters sent me and email thanking me for what I was doing and that she was so glad I was able to get them all motivated to help, I needed that more then anyone can know. My father is much better now too because I kept it together. He is still worried about me having surgery, but will be okay if everyone helps out while I am healing. I didn't even have a panic attack... At first I was a little upset that I had to do more appointments, but now I am glad. I was hoping to wait until october for my surgery anyways so this just gives me more time to get my act together!!

I feel horrible. Im 24 weeks preg with these twins now and my appetite is on overdrive but my pouch cant handle more than 1/4cup of food. I feel depressed like Im back where I started mentally before RNY. I cant believe I even cried and said I wish I had my old big stomach back for a day soI can eat what I want. Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

In the beginning I simply would crush then or cut the in half. You only take one at a time in the beginning. At about 8 weeks post op I was told I was healed and could swallow them whole, so I started doing that and no proble. There is only one pill that ever gave me trouble and it is my Calcium citrate. That pill is pretty bid in even though it is the smaller version. I have to make sure I take it with quite a bit of Water. Once I swallowed it and it seemed to go down sideways and dry and that did make me vomit.

I didn't crush anything once the g-tube was out. Just swallowed them as they came. Started the pills about 2-3 weeks after sx.

I was scared of the surgery too...BUT...I was even more frightened of what would happen if is DIDN'T have it! I knew diabetes and high blood pressure were lurking around every corner. I'm 8 weeks out, 36 pounds down, in a size 16 from a size 20, and loving my tiny tummy!

Glad you're feeling better. I stopped pain meds during the daytime after four days, stopped completely after a week. You'll be feeling good as new in no time!

I just replied in another thread... I was STARVING too the week after, and I called my surgeon's office and they told me to use oyster crackers when I get overwhelmingly hungry - just to let them practically dissolve before swallowing. I'd definitely call and ask!!

My surgeon gave all of his patients an entire manual to take you through every stage of the bandster diet from pre op through weight maintenance. He advised waiting until reaching 3 months post op to begin having dark leafy raw veggies. I followed his recommendations, and have never experienced any negative effects from having a very small salad using romaine lettuce most days of the week. As always though, when you have questions, it's best to begin with finding the answers through your surgeon.

I feel your pain . I too was banded on 11/27 and due to the swelling really wasn't hungry until saturday and then it was overwhelming! I got really cranky with my hubby for making his dinner and making me smell it, I made him eat it upstairs-LOL. This forum is so helpful because it sounds like everyone is hungry during this phase and we just have to bite the bullet. We WILL get thru this and be better for it. I can't wait until mushies phase this weekend tho!! FIll is suppose to be 6 weeks from surgery date. Best of luck to you and everyone getting through this starvation phase.

Meredith, Unlike most people, I had a hard time post-op. I had surgery on March 19th and here it is 9 days later and I'm just starting to feel better. I took all last week off and then I decided to take another week. I thought for sure I would have bounced right back but I didn't. Good luck

Thanks for all your replies!! Hope everyone is having a great week

I have the small band, and I don't have any problems with salad at all. I think the main thing we all need to remember is that if something don't work for you the first time, don't eliminate it completely, because sometimes if you can't eat it today, you can three weeks from now. You just need to try things more than once.

I couldn't drink much Clear Liquids first week either. I stayed hydrated on sugar free popsickles and crushed ice with some sugar free kool aid poured over it. I calculated each sugar free pop-sickle is the equivalent to 3 ounces of Water, and for some reason, the semi-frozen ice liquid was very soothing to my stomach, way less difficult than sipping water. I would have gotten dehydrated without the sugar pop sickles.

Best of luck. Are you having surgery near home? You need lots of support and visit the nutritional psychologist, the dietician, the nutritionist, and the counselor who manages your case. I had great support at Northwestern University's Hospital-Northwestern Memorial. The nutritional classes were invaluable support. Four classes before, three after. I felt well prepared. My cousin's husband lost 275# with bypass surgery, but sugary sodas and peroggies are not helpful. He is still close to 400! And he needs a new heart-which he'll never get because of that weight! Stay close to your recommendations for your diet. Plan to look back in stages. Try taking portraits every 2or 3 months. You'll be so amazed my husband is tired of me saying, 'I can't believe it!' He says to just believe and enjoy! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App